As part of a research project, Arup is developing a glass façade system with integrated photobioreactors; the so-called bioenergy façade.
This is a further development of the SolarLeaf façade which was presented as the world’s first algae bioreactor façade at the 2013 International Building Exhibition in Hamburg. Microalgae are cultivated in glass façade elements that generate heat for the building operation and biomass for the food and pharmaceutical industries.
A flexible façade solution
With the bioenergy façade, the SolarLeaf façade is to be further developed both aesthetically and technologically. Three different façade elements will open up new possibilities for architectural design: A translucent version, which allows the green colouring of the algae to be experienced in the interior, an opaque solution, in which the algae serve as design elements on the outer façade, and a transparent frame, which ensures undisturbed viewing.
Image: Microalgae are cultivated in glass façade elements that generate heat for the building.
Image by Ulrich Rossmann
“We want to technologically optimise the bioenergy façade and – at the same time – expand the design options for architects and planners. The bioenergy façade should establish itself as a customizable product for façade design in order to implement closed material loops at the building and district level”.
“We want to technologically optimise the bioenergy façade and – at the same time – expand the design options for architects and planners. The bioenergy façade should establish itself as a customizable product for façade design in order to implement closed material loops at the building and district level”.
Optimisation of the photobioreactors
The glass elements of the bioenergy façade are part of a solar thermal system with which, additionally, microalgae are cultivated to build up biomass and absorb CO₂. With a thermal efficiency of 38 percent and a biomass conversion efficiency of 8 percent, the bioenergy façade is comparable to conventional solar systems. The function and cost-effectiveness of the system is to be ensured by an operator concept. The harvested algae are used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are used to create optimal conditions for the growth of microalgae. The computer-aided 3D models represent the flow and mixing processes within the bioreactors.
Arup is undertaking the research project in cooperation with Technische Universität Dresden and the project partners SSC GmbH, Pazdera AG and ADCO Technik GmbH. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy and is expected to be completed in April 2019 with the construction of a prototype.
Image: The glass elements of the bioenergy façade are part of a solar thermal system with which additional microalgae are cultivated to build up biomass and absorb C02.
Image courtesy of ARUP
Image: The bioenergy façade should establish itself as a customizable product for façade design.
Image courtesy of ARUP
Image: The visualisation shows the three different façade elements of the bioenergy façade.
Image courtesy of ARUP
Image: The cross-section shows the multilayer construction of the façade elements.
Image courtesy of ARUP
Article courtesy of ARUP
Author: Jan Wurm, Leader Research & Innovation Europe, Arup Germany